Lithium-ion battery fires are becoming a ‘new normal’ that consumers accept, albeit it with an extremely low likelihood. But they are harder to extinguish in large quantities. These battery fires put ports at risk too, according to Financial Times, and the consequences can be far greater.
Double the Risk of Battery Fires at Ports
Lithium-ion battery sales could double by 2030, with a knock-on effect in terms of fires. A spokesperson for the Port of Los Angeles admits there is no easy solution for these battery incidents aboard cargo ships. The main issue is that water may cool their flames, but it cannot extinguish them.
A quick Google or AI produces a list of recent battery fires in various ports in diverse parts of the world. But now, Financial Times continues, there is a compounded risk of these fires. The war in the Middle East is diverting cargoes to smaller, less well equipped harbors.
A lithium-ion battery cargo fire aboard a container ship in port can cause bottle necks, in even the most advanced harbors. Take, for example the 2024 lithium-ion battery fire at Port of Los Angeles. That one shut down 70% of operations, causing massive bottlenecks for two days.
Increasing Cargo Fires Challenge Port Authorities
Over 250 cargo fires occurred in ports worldwide during 2024, according to Allianz insurers. An alarming number of these incidents occurred while handling incorrectly classified cargo. This is becoming a key issue for airlines too, who are facing an increasing risk of lithium-ion battery fires.
Intriguingly, used cars are among the biggest culprits of ship-board lithium-ion fires. These are not necessarily electric vehicles though, because all cars have lithium-ion batteries in their radios.
We have heard that one large shipper has had no fire incidents since they began disconnecting radio batteries. There’s always something new in our world of batteries …
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Lithium-Ion Cargo Fires At Sea
